JOEL WILLIAMS, NEWS EDITOR [email protected]Using an instrument on the 4.1-meter Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope, researchers obtained the first astronomical spectrum using skipper charge-coupled devices (CCDs). Originally envisioned for this purpose, the technology has been largely limited to the study of charged particles since its introduction in 1990. CCDs are two-dimensional arrays of light-sensitive pixels that convert incoming photons into electrons. Conventional CCDs were the first image sensors used in digital cameras. 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